Product Details

This apparatus is designed to study both free and forced vortex formations, allowing students to observe and measure the characteristic surface profiles and rotational speeds of these circular fluid motions. It provides a practical means to analyze how vortices develop under different conditions, such as when fluid drains from a tank or is driven by an external impulse. The unit features a transparent tank with radial and tangential water inlets, an impeller for generating forced vortices, and interchangeable drain inserts of various diameters to alter outflow conditions. A point gauge is used to precisely measure the depression and shape of the vortex surface profiles. For free vortex studies, water enters radially and drains through a central orifice, while for forced vortices, tangential inflow or an impeller driven by a water jet induces rotation. Its primary application is in fluid mechanics education, where it demonstrates fundamental principles of rotational flow, energy distribution, and angular momentum. The key benefit is the hands-on comparison between free and forced vortices, enabling students to quantify profiles, speeds, and the influence of drain size on vortex behavior. This enhances understanding of natural and engineered phenomena, such as whirlpools, pumps, and mixing processes.